The German powerhouse being tracked by Liverpool: talkSPORT Euro 2012 Transfer Spotlight

With qualification to the last eight of Euro 2012 secured, Joachim Loew's Germany side could be forgiven for taking a couple of days off before the work starts again. It looks like one German in particular is keeping himself busy, however, as defender Benedikt Howedes is apparently interesting Liverpool, so we wanted to know more about the Schalke man.

What's the latest?Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is looking to move early to strengthen his squad for next season, and a top quality central defender is one of his priorities. Howedes fits the Rodgers mould of being capable of initiating attacks as well as defending, and his comfort at right back as well as in the centre of defence provides cover for Liverpool's full-backs. Schalke aren't likely to let him go without a fight, especially as fellow European giants Real Madrid and Milan are also thought to be interested.

Did you know?1) Howedes is a product of the Schalke youth system, joining the German side in 2001 at the age of 12.

2) The defender rose to prominence after captaining Schalke's youth side to the Under-19 Bundesliga in 2006 and a year later in January he was handed his first professional contract with the club. He remained with their reserves until the end of the 2006/07 season, though.

3) In 2007 Howedes made his Schalke first-team debut, impressing in a 2-0 victory over Norweigan side Rosenborg in the UEFA Champions League.

4) Howedes was made captain of Schalke in July 2011.

5) He started for Germany in their 4-0 win over England in the 2009 UEFA Under-21 Championship and has made eight appearances as a full international (as of 18/06/12), but with Mats Hummels and Holger Badstuber making the centre-back positions their own, Howedes may need to play at right-back if he hopes to get some minutes at Euro 2012.

They say
“His greatest strengths are in the centre of defence, but he can play in any position across the back and always has a role to play.”Germany coachJoachim Loew

Video evidenceHowedes has already dominated Manchester United once in his career. Check out the video below

Should Howedes be shackling United at Anfield next season? Let us know by commenting below...